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jamesmck · 06-24-2012, 12:02 PM

My formerly trusty ZX-5n has been afflicted with the infamous mirror-lock malady. I understand that this is common, and due to a plastic vs. brass gear. Professional repair cost is prohibitive, and I am not up to DIY. Can someone suggest an autofocus Pentax film model that has at least the features of the ZX-5n and seems to have a good performance record? Thanks in advance.

James

Swift1 · 06-24-2012, 12:12 PM

PZ-1p, Z-1p, Z-5p (bigger)
MZ-S (expensive)
MZ-L/ZX-L (smaller viewfinder, possible same gear issue)
MZ-3 (hard to find, possible same gear issue)
SF1, SF1n (bigger)

Sluggo · 06-24-2012, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by jamesmck

...Professional repair cost is prohibitive, and I am not up to DIY....

A friend of mine is happy with his PZ-1 and has been using it since the mid 1990's. I'd call it a durable camera based on his experience.

Or you might consider a third option - there are some people on this forum who have experience with the mirror gear repair and might be willing to do yours for less than a professional shop would. User "violini" is one (though I can't speak for him for sure), and I am another, for starters.

If you do end up buying a different camera, as you are planning now, I hope you'll consider sending your old ZX to one of us to salvage parts from or to repair, rather than tossing it in the trash. Anyway good luck with whichever route you take.

jamesmck · 06-24-2012, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by Sluggo

Or you might consider a third option - there are some people on this forum who have experience with the mirror gear repair and might be willing to do yours for less than a professional shop would

Thanks, PM sent.

**ChrisPlatt** · 06-24-2012, 05:00 PM

All MZ/ZX series cameras except the MZ-S use that same plastic gear.
If you want a reliable Pentax body look elsewhere (to earlier models).

Chris

jamesmck · 06-25-2012, 03:24 PM

Thanks, everyone. I'm going to go with getting the ZX-5n repaired. I have an MX, but would also like to have an autofocus body. -- James

KJon · 06-28-2012, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

All MZ/ZX series cameras except the MZ-S use that same plastic gear.
If you want a reliable Pentax body look elsewhere (to earlier models).

Chris

Hey, Chris, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Pentax discover the error of their ways during the production run? It was my understanding that ZX/MX 5ns made after a certain date had metal gears. Inquiring minds want to know...

Best to all,
Kevin

**ChrisPlatt** · 06-29-2012, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by KJon

Hey, Chris, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Pentax discover the error of their ways during the production run?
It was my understanding that ZX/MX 5ns made after a certain date had metal gears.

Probably true, but AFAIK this data (dates and serial numbers) have never been made available.
So there's really no way to be sure about any particular camera body, short of disassembling it.

Chris

KJon · 06-29-2012, 03:31 PM

Thanks for the response. I have a ZX-5n and I really like the images I've had out of it - matrix metering on film is great. However, and I've posted words to this effect before, I'm not in love with shooting the camera; much prefer my ME Super or SuperProgram. Neither body does the OP any good as he was looking for AF.

Best to all,
Kevin

06-24-2012, 12:02 PM	#1
jamesmck New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 10	ZX-5n replacement My formerly trusty ZX-5n has been afflicted with the infamous mirror-lock malady. I understand that this is common, and due to a plastic vs. brass gear. Professional repair cost is prohibitive, and I am not up to DIY. Can someone suggest an autofocus Pentax film model that has at least the features of the ZX-5n and seems to have a good performance record? Thanks in advance. James

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06-24-2012, 12:12 PM	#2
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	PZ-1p, Z-1p, Z-5p (bigger) MZ-S (expensive) MZ-L/ZX-L (smaller viewfinder, possible same gear issue) MZ-3 (hard to find, possible same gear issue) SF1, SF1n (bigger)

06-24-2012, 01:12 PM	#3
Sluggo Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ames, Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 774	Originally posted by jamesmck ...Professional repair cost is prohibitive, and I am not up to DIY.... A friend of mine is happy with his PZ-1 and has been using it since the mid 1990's. I'd call it a durable camera based on his experience. Or you might consider a third option - there are some people on this forum who have experience with the mirror gear repair and might be willing to do yours for less than a professional shop would. User "violini" is one (though I can't speak for him for sure), and I am another, for starters. If you do end up buying a different camera, as you are planning now, I hope you'll consider sending your old ZX to one of us to salvage parts from or to repair, rather than tossing it in the trash. Anyway good luck with whichever route you take.

06-24-2012, 01:40 PM	#4
jamesmck New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sluggo Or you might consider a third option - there are some people on this forum who have experience with the mirror gear repair and might be willing to do yours for less than a professional shop would Thanks, PM sent.

06-24-2012, 05:00 PM	#5
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,697	All MZ/ZX series cameras except the MZ-S use that same plastic gear. If you want a reliable Pentax body look elsewhere (to earlier models). Chris

06-25-2012, 03:24 PM	#6
jamesmck New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thanks, everyone. I'm going to go with getting the ZX-5n repaired. I have an MX, but would also like to have an autofocus body. -- James

06-28-2012, 07:16 PM	#7
KJon Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Connecticut, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 542	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt All MZ/ZX series cameras except the MZ-S use that same plastic gear. If you want a reliable Pentax body look elsewhere (to earlier models). Chris Hey, Chris, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Pentax discover the error of their ways during the production run? It was my understanding that ZX/MX 5ns made after a certain date had metal gears. Inquiring minds want to know... Best to all, Kevin

06-29-2012, 08:23 AM	#8
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,697	Originally posted by KJon Hey, Chris, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Pentax discover the error of their ways during the production run? It was my understanding that ZX/MX 5ns made after a certain date had metal gears. Probably true, but AFAIK this data (dates and serial numbers) have never been made available. So there's really no way to be sure about any particular camera body, short of disassembling it. Chris

06-29-2012, 03:31 PM	#9
KJon Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Connecticut, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 542	Thanks for the response. I have a ZX-5n and I really like the images I've had out of it - matrix metering on film is great. However, and I've posted words to this effect before, I'm not in love with shooting the camera; much prefer my ME Super or SuperProgram. Neither body does the OP any good as he was looking for AF. Best to all, Kevin

ZX-5n replacement

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